circumspectiveadj.
/səːkəmˈspɛktɪv/ 1. Looking around, scanning on all sides.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > [adjective] > looking around
circumspectivec1635
rubbernecking1904
c1635 H. Glapthorne Lady Mother (1959) iv. i. 72 I should haue thought your circumspectiue Iudgment had spide some error in him.
1734 A. Pope Ess. Man: Epist. IV 216 Sly slow things, with circumspective eyes.
1838 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 44 534 He might have passed in grand circumspective review..the aberrations of his country.
2. Given to circumspection: cautious, wary. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > [adjective]
warelyOE
warec1000
adviseda1325
averty1330
aware1340
ferdfula1382
well-advisedc1405
circumspect1430
hooly1513
fearful1526
curiousa1533
chary1542
wareful1548
cautelous1574
cauty1579
careful1580
wary1580
retentive1599
wary1599
ginger1600
circumstant1603
cautel1606
shya1616
cautionate1616
warisome1628
cautiousa1640
circumspectious1649
circumspectivea1674
gingerish1764
safe1874
pussy-footed1893
pussyfooting1926
risk-averse1961
risk-adverse1969
a1674 Earl of Clarendon Brief View Leviathan (1676) 206 To advise the people, to be very circumspective.
1749 S. Johnson Irene v. x. 81 Frame your Report with circumspective Art.
1843 Blackwood's Mag. 317 His searching eye and circumspective wariness.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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adj.c1635